Earthquakes, Crew Play To Scoreless Tie, 0-0

Eric Gehrig #16 of the Columbus Crew keeps control of the ball as Simon Dawkins #10 of the San Jose Earthquakes and Chris Wondolowski #8 of the San Jose Earthquakes defend in the first half on July 16, 2011 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Eric Gehrig #16 of the Columbus Crew keeps control of the ball as Simon Dawkins #10 of the San Jose Earthquakes and Chris Wondolowski #8 of the San Jose Earthquakes defend in the first half on July 16, 2011 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch and his counterpart William Hesmer made several crucial saves as the Earthquakes and Columbus Crew played to a scoreless tie Saturday.

Despite six saves by Busch, the Earthquakes (5-6-8) extended their winless streak to six games (0-2-4). Hesmer had five saves for the Crew (7-5-7), who have four wins, two losses and a tie over the past seven games.

“It was a goalkeepers’ night for sure,” San Jose defender Chris Leitch said. “It was a little bit more of a wide open game; breakaways at both ends.

“I guess a tie is considered a good result, for sure. We would have liked to have played a little bit better. That said, sometimes you have to get a result when you’re not playing you’re best. That’s what we did tonight.”

Hesmer parried a header by Chris Wondolowski over the crossbar in the 75th minute, just after Busch denied a break by Andres Mendoza. Busch also slid to the right of the goal to stop Justin Meram in the 90th minute.

San Jose was blanked for the fifth time in six games, while Hesmer recorded his second straight shutout and seventh of the season.

“We gave them a lot of good looks, actually, and we were lucky enough not to give one up,” Hesmer said. “The looks we got made it real easy for Buschy.”

San Jose was blanked for the fifth time in six games while Hesmer recorded his second straight shutout and seventh of the season. Busch has six.

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